Grace is Grace

Grace is Grace – Rom 11:5-6

Vs 5- Paul then reminds His audience that even though the days look bleak there is a remnant of people set aside by the grace of God to serve Him during this time period.  God always has His remnant.

Vs 6 – It is by grace and grace alone that these people are kept.  It is not through the works of man or religion that people are kept for God.  If it was by works, than grace would not be grace.  Grace is undeserved mercy.  Works are works.  The grace of God will keep you where ever the will of God takes you.  Grace is that wonderful place of victory where God through His love extends you an ability to overcome.  Mercy flows with grace and together they help the Christian walk through any problem or situation into God’s rest and healing.

Kept by God

Kept by God – Rom 11:3-4

Vs 3 – Paul continues his expose of Elijah.  Elijah said, “Lord you see how the nation of Israel had killed the prophets and torn down your altars.  I am the only one left and they are trying to kill me.”  Elijah was feeling the loneliness of the situation.

Vs 4 – God then told Elijah that he was not alone.  So often we think we are alone and we are not.  This is a perception the devil wants us to have.  God told him that 7000 people had not bowed their knee to Baal.  They were kept apart by God.  God always has His remnant.  There is always a segment of His people that are totally dedicated.  You may not see them but they are them.  My exhortation for you today is to be part of God’s remnant.  

God will not put away His people

God will not put away His people – Rom 11:1-2

Vs 1 – Paul begins this chapter with a question?  Will God forget or cast away His people?  God forbid.  God will never cast away or leave His people.  Jesus said in Matt 28:20, “He would never forsake or leave us.”  Paul says, “I am of the seed of Abraham from Israel and from the tribe of Benjamin.”

Vs 2 – God is not going to cast away the people He calls as His own.  Paul then asks his audience to recall the story of Elijah when he was praying to the Lord about the people of Israel.   Elijah was a man with many passions and faults but God used him to bring the people to a place of decision.  God sees our many faults but still uses us.  The love He has for us and the blood of Jesus Christ allow His mercy and grace to flow when judgment and wrath should be forth coming.  Bask in God’s love but never take it for granted and keep short accounts with God.

The Great Burden Bearer

n Isaiah 52:12, there is a promise that a Christian will not be in haste or flight.  Wherever we go the Lord will be with us.  He will be on our right hand and He will be our rear guard.  That means the Lord will protect and keep us in what ever stage of life we find ourselves.  There are times of great joy and sadness.  There are times of victory and defeat.  He was with us when we were young and He will be with us when we are old.  He will be with us in times of loss and discouragement.  The Lord will never leave or forsake us.  His constant care is upon us.  Jesus made it very clear in Matt 28:20, that He would never leave or forsake us.  He also gave the invitation in Matt 11:28, to come and lay all our burdens on Him.  He has been called the Great Burden Bearer.  So today lay all your burdens and cares on Him and He will care for you.  He will help you through out whatever you are facing today.  Another very important tuth is that the Lord will always lay you upon someone's heart and they will be praying for you.  God will bring Himself and others in your life as you trust in Him.  So trust Him

You will never be put to shame

You will never be put to shame – Rom 10:11-13

Vs 11 – Paul then quotes Joel 2:32 and Acts 2:31.  Whoever believes in Jesus Christ will never be put to shame.  God will acknowledge and publicly proclaim that we are His children.  There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Vs 12 – All men are equal before God.  Jew and Gentile are on equal footing.  God will bestow His riches and blessing on all who call on Him.  The benefits of heaven are waiting for all who will call on the name of the Lord.

Vs 13 – Paul closes the paragraph with the statement.  All who call of the name of the Lord shall be saved.  The same salvation is offered to all.

Your Confession

The Confession of Faith – Rom 10-8-10

Vs 8 – This is what is being said.  In fact this word is near.  It is in your mouth and in your heart.  It is the word of faith that Paul preaches.  Jesus is the Living Word.  He is the resurrection and the life.  It is His atonement that secured salvation for mankind.  Jesus is the object of our faith.  He is the author and finisher of our faith.  He is the central figure of the gospel that Paul and we preach.

Vs 9 – Then Paul relays how a person can be saved or come into the Kingdom.  If you confess with you mouth the Lord Jesus.  Acknowledge Him as your personal Lord and Savior.  If you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you shall be saved.  Salvation based in the finished work of Jesus Christ, your belief and acceptance of that fact.  This is the first step to an eternal and abundant life.  Was a story you will write for the Kingdom of God as you serve Him.

Vs 10 – In your heart you believe and righteousness is imputed to you through the Holy Spirit.  Then with your mouth you confess Jesus’ Lordship and you are saved.  Righteousness comes in the heart by belief and salvation is released through the confession made with the mouth.

Faith comes to the wise

Faith comes to the wise – Rom 10:4-7

Vs 5 – Moses described the righteousness that comes from the law.  When a person decides to follow the law they have to follow it to the letter because if they fail in one part they fail in all parts.

Vs 6 – Paul then brings out that the righteousness that comes by faith and it is given to the wise.  Those who chose to follow Jesus Christ are wise.  Paul then asks another question.  “Who shall ascend to heaven and bring Christ down from above?”  There will be a parallel question about to be asked.

Vs 7 – Or shall ascend to the deep and bring Jesus back up from the dead?  Paul is dealing in the questions about Jesus’ incarnation and His resurrection.  In both cases Jesus has already come, died, been buried and rose again.  The work has been done so nothing more is needed.